SOCOTEC UK and Ireland has secured a long-term contract with Yorkshire Water to deliver extensive water quality monitoring services across the utility’s network. The agreement, worth tens of millions of pounds, represents SOCOTEC’s largest project in the sector and the first contract awarded under Section 82 of the Environment Act 2021.

The partnership will see SOCOTEC install, maintain, and calibrate water monitoring equipment to assess conditions both upstream and downstream of Yorkshire Water assets. Over the first five years, 736 monitoring stations will be installed as part of the company’s plan to strengthen water quality transparency and support compliance with environmental regulations.

The initial term runs for seven years, with the option of a three-year extension. The contract supports Yorkshire Water’s goal to publish real-time water quality data by 2030 and marks a major step in SOCOTEC’s strategy to expand its environmental monitoring capabilities across the UK infrastructure sector.

“I am thrilled we have been selected as the supplier for such a monumental contract. Our partnership with Yorkshire Water has been strong for over 15 years, and we are now looking forward to enabling them to meet their Continuous Water Quality Monitoring obligations under Section 82 of the Environment Act 2021.

We are confident that our practical experience and expertise in procuring, installing, maintaining and calibrating water quality monitoring equipment will enable us to provide independently collected, high quality, reliable data to Yorkshire Water, and ultimately, the public – enabling us to continue our SOCOTEC mission, building trust for a safer and sustainable world.” – Isabell Holling, Business Unit Director – Monitoring & Surveying, SOCOTEC UK

Beech Tree Private Equity has sold its stake in Avid Insurance Services to Bishop Street Underwriters, part of Red Bird Capital Partners, marking the final exit from its second fund.

Avid, a London-based managing general agent with additional offices in Leeds and Hornchurch, operates across specialist markets including travel, construction, social housing, leasehold, equine, and motorsport. During Beech Tree’s investment period, Avid’s profitability more than tripled through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions.

Stephen Gibson said: “We have had a very successful journey with Beech Tree over the past few years and, with their support, have been able to scale the business significantly both organically and through acquisitions.”

Ben Cartwright, director at Beech Tree PE, said: “It has been a pleasure to work with Steve and the rest of the Avid management team over the past few years to build Avid into the standout business that it is today. We look forward to seeing the business continue to grow as part of the Bishop Street platform.”

The transaction closes a successful chapter for Beech Tree, which backed Avid to scale its business model and expand into underserved segments of the insurance market. The sale also strengthens Bishop Street’s presence in the UK specialty insurance sector, aligning with its strategy to acquire high-performing, niche underwriting businesses.

Welcome Break has agreed a 75-year extension with the Department for Transport and National Highways to continue operating eight key motorway service areas across England.

The agreement secures the company’s presence at Newport Pagnell, Corley, Woodall, Birchanger, Warwick, Membury, Keele, and Leicester Forest East — locations that collectively employ about 2,000 people.

Under the terms, Welcome Break will invest further in modernising its facilities and expanding its electric vehicle charging capacity. More than 1,000 chargers are expected to be available across its network by 2026, with Leicester Forest East set to receive ultra-rapid chargers for the first time.

The lease renewal forms part of a £400 million investment programme over five years aimed at improving food, retail, and rest amenities across its 60 service areas and 31 hotels.

National Highways said the agreement supports its wider plan to manage public assets sustainably and prepare for higher EV adoption. The deal also provides long-term certainty for roadside businesses that rely on consistent footfall from Britain’s motorway network.

Newmark and Freeths advised Welcome Break. CBRE and Eversheds Sutherland represented the Department for Transport and National Highways.

Beyond Law Group, the Manchester-based legal group behind practices including Beyond Corporate, McAlister Family Law, Home Property Law and Vault Private Client, has acquired Leeds-based construction law boutique, Hawkswell Kilvington. Hawkswell Kilvington becomes Beyond Law Group’s fifth specialist legal practice, and will operate as Hawkswell Kilvington Construction Law. The practice will now operate from Manchester as well as from its existing offices in Leeds and London. The addition of Hawkswell Kilvington’s 20-strong construction team increases Beyond Law Group’s headcount to over 130, with projected revenues expected to exceed £20m in this financial year. Hawkswell Kilvington’s existing management team of Daniel Silberstein and Thomas Salter, together with James Flynn who heads Beyond Corporate’s construction team, will lead the day-to-day management of the practice and drive growth, both organically and through further acquisitions. Daniel Silberstein will remain as managing partner of Hawkswell Kilvington Construction Law and will also join the board of Beyond Law Group. Beyond Law Group’s acquisition of Hawkswell Kilvington follows investment from Waterland Private Equity in Beyond Law Group in 2024. Matt Fleetwood, founder and chief executive of Beyond Law Group, said: “This is a significant step for the Group and part of our long-term strategy to build leading specialist legal practices under our Group structure. “Hawkswell Kilvington is an exceptional specialist construction practice with an outstanding reputation, and as with our other practices, is a real challenger in its sector. “Bringing together the Hawkswell Kilvington team and the Beyond Corporate construction team will give the Group and the individual teams the momentum to further grow and build on an already established national presence. This move also puts the Group’s roots in Yorkshire, which is part of our growth strategy. “We are delighted to welcome the entire Hawkswell Kilvington team into the Group. It’s been a pleasure working with Daniel and Thomas up until this point, and we are now looking forward to working with them as part of the same team.” Daniel Silberstein, managing partner at Hawkswell Kilvington Construction Law, added: “Joining Beyond Law Group provides the Hawkswell Kilvington brand and our team with tremendous opportunities for growth and development. “Like us, the Group is resolutely focused on delivering the highest quality legal services, cultivating a strong culture, valuing its clients and supporting its people. “It will allow us to further strengthen our offering and reputation as a leading construction law specialist, whilst also creating greater opportunities for our people within a dynamic and ambitious group on a strong growth trajectory. “Both Thomas and I are delighted to be joining the Group and look forward to working closely with the teams at Beyond.” Squire Patton Boggs and Eight Advisory provided legal and financial / tax diligence services to Beyond Law Group whilst a team from FRP Corporate Finance’s Manchester office led by partner Daniel Brecker, and Browne Jacobson, led by partner Ryan Brown, provided lead advisory and legal advice to the Hawkswell Kilvington team. Complex Risk provided regulatory advice.

A government-backed project is set to transform electric vehicle infrastructure across West Yorkshire, with Blink Charging chosen to deliver the first phase of the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) programme.

The £1.4 million pilot will see 716 new public charge points installed across the region, focusing on neighbourhoods without off-street parking. It forms part of a wider effort by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and five district councils to establish a regional charging network that supports the transition to low-emission transport.

The rollout includes a mix of Standard (3.7kW to under 8kW), Fast (8kW to 49kW), and Rapid (50kW to 149kW) chargers, to be installed in both on-street and car park locations. Blink will work closely with local councils to determine optimal sites and ensure accessibility for residents and businesses.

The Combined Authority has also secured an additional £14.3 million in government capital funding for the next two LEVI phases, with further supplier appointments scheduled for 2026 and 2027.

The initiative supports the region’s ambition to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2038 and strengthen local EV infrastructure for business, logistics, and public use.